Natural topical compositions for the prevention and treatment of diaper rashes and related conditions

ABSTRACT

The treatment and prevention of skin irritations, including diaper rash, is facilitated with the topical application of cranberry anthocyanins in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to topical compositions for the treatment of skinirritation and, more particularly, to anthocyanin-containingcompositions for the treatment of diaper rash.

2. Background of the Invention and Related Art

Diaper rash (also referred to as diaper dermatitis or incontinencedermatitis) is a generic term applied to rashes seen in the diaper area(genital, buttocks and thighs, or any area of skin that is covered by adiaper-like dressing) that may be caused by a variety of skin disorders.Diaper dermatitis develops when skin is exposed to prolonged wetness,increased skin pH caused by urine and feces, with the resultingbreakdown of the stratum corneum, or outermost layer of the skin. Inadults, the stratum corneum is composed of 25 to 30 layers of flatteneddead keratinocytes, which are continuously shed and replaced from below.These dead cells are interlayered with lipids secreted by the stratumgranulosum just underneath, which help to make this layer of the skin awaterproof barrier. The stratum corneum's function is to reduce waterloss, repel water, protect deeper layers of the skin from injury and torepel microbial invasion of the skin. In infants, this layer of the skinis much thinner and more easily disrupted.

It is generally accepted that various combinations of factors, and not asingle causative factor, causes diaper rash. However, certain factorsappear to be far more prevalent as causal agents than others. The mostprominent factors are ammonia from urine and its increase of the pH ofthe skin, bacterial growth and the metabolic byproducts of such growth,yeast growth, including Candida albicans, and their metabolicbyproducts, and excess moisture.

The use of herbal remedies and ointments for the soothing or treatmentof diaper rashes is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,627,178, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,discloses an ointment composition containing calendula, chamomile and/orcomfrey for the treatment of diaper rashes. Another example of the useof herbal remedies in ointments for the treatment of diaper rashes isU.S. Pat. No. 6,419,963, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference, which discloses a composition containing beeswax, oliveoil, beta-sitosterol and the herb Coptis chinensis Franch.

However, neither of the aforementioned patents yield the benefitsachieved by the current invention, which provides an economical,all-natural product that provides relief from diaper rash, as well asother skin irritations.

All references to “Cranberry” hereinafter encompass cranberry, cranberryextract, cranberry concentrate, cranberry juice, cranberry juiceconcentrates, in all forms, including by way of examples and not by wayof limitation, liquid, solid, powdered, dehydrated, or extracted usingany of the currently available production methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses a number of problems associated withpreviously known diaper rash treatments by providing compositions whichinclude anthocyanins which contribute to the treatment and/or preventionof diaper rash. While previous treatments and compositions requiredmultiple ingredients to achieve a) a reduction of pH, b) a reduction ofmoisture and c) a reduction of irritant microbes and/or irritantmicrobial byproducts, the inclusion of at least one anthocyanin in thecomposition of the present invention achieves all of these objectives.And given that vaccinium macrocarpon known colloquially as cranberry,which contains the preferred anthocyanins for use in the presentinvention is widely abundant and inexpensive, the present invention,achieves the aforementioned objectives in a very cost-effective manner.

The present invention is primarily intended for use on or around theaffected skin of the diaper area in both infants and toddlers andincontinent adults. This includes, but is not limited to, the buttocks,genitals, lower abdomen and the thigh folds.

Cranberry and/or cranberry extract is naturally acidic and thereforenaturally helps to lower skin pH. Cranberry has also been found tocontain as much as 12% fiber (DUKE1992A), and is a known moistureadsorbent. And, most importantly, numerous studies (Di Martino et al.2006, Firon et al. 1987; Jepson et al. 2004; Howell et al. 2005; Raz etal. 2004; Tsukada et al. 1994; Turner et al. 2005; Zafriri et al., 1989;Zhang et al. 2005) have shown that cranberry and/or cranberry extractsinhibit the adhesion of yeast and bacteria to epithelial surfaces. Suchinhibition of adhesion inhibits the growth of yeast and bacteria (aswell as other microorganisms). With reduced adhesive capacity,microorganisms are more easily removed through common practices ofdiaper changing, wiping and general good hygiene. Thus, cranberry and/orcranberry extract contributes many attributes, which effectively combatmany of the causal factors of diaper rash.

The present invention includes all known topical delivery media ormechanisms, including by way of example, and not by way of limitation,lotions, creams, ointments, sprays, dressings, or other methods oftopical application. Exemplary thereof would be any of the knownointment or lotion media with a low level of skin irritation.

The present invention may include cranberry alone, or it may includecranberry as part of a more comprehensive formulation, including otheringredients. The following formulation is a representative embodiment ofsuch other ingredients and it is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

Zinc oxide (Functions as a barrier material);

cod liver oil (skin conditioning agent-source of vitamins A and D);

lavender (Fragrance);

chamomile (Fragrance);

natural vitamin E (skin conditioning agent);

lanolin (skin conditioning agent);

fragrance

petrolatum (functions as a barrier material);

talc; and

purified water.

The present invention incorporates a concentration of at least about 16ppb of cranberry—or other vaccinium-derived anthocyanins. The use ofhigher concentrations, up to about 50% by weight of the composition, canbe employed advantageously with the upper limit being dictated by thebenefit realized to the patient.

It has been found that it is primarily the proanthocyanins andanthocyanins in vaccinium genus, including cranberry (Vacciniummacrocarpon), that impart the anti-microbial-adhesion activity.Accordingly, juices, concentrates, and extracts from all members of thevaccinium genus can be employed to advantage, with cranberry beingpreferred.

Cranberry anthocyanins commonly occur in cranberry fruit and juice inthe range of 18 mg per 100 g, or 0.018% (Zhou and Singh, 2004). A mediumcontaining 11.25 parts per million (0.001%) cranberry fruit or cranberryjuice will contain 16 ppb of cranberry anthocyanins, and thus contain aconcentration of cranberry anthocyanins sufficient to impartanti-adhesion microbial activity.

Although the aforesaid embodiment of this invention focuses on diaperrash, it may also be used to advantage in the treatment of any of thefollowing conditions as they may relate to, or be exacerbated by,bacterial adhesion:

acne, actinic keratosis, athlete's foot, aquagenic pruritus, atopicdermatitis, bed sore, Behcet's disease, blepharitis, boils, Bowen'sdisease, bullous pemphigoid, canker sore, carbuncles, cellulitis,chloracne, chronic dermatitis of the hands and feet, cold sores, contactdermatitis, creeping eruption, dandruff, dermatitis, dermatitisherpetiformis, diaper rash, dyshidrosis, eczema, epidermolysis bullosa,erysipelas, erythroderma, Ferguson's disease, friction blister,hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, ichthyosis, impetigo, jockitch, keloid, keratosis pilaris, lichen planus, lichen simplexchronicus, lymphadenitis, melasma, miliaria, molluscum contagiosum,nummular dermatitis, pediculosis, pemphigus, perioral dermatitis,photoallergy, photosensitivity, pityriasis rosea, pityriasis rubrapilaris, porphyria, psoriasis, Raynaud's disease, ringworm, rosacea,scabies, scleroderma, sebaceous cyst, seborrheic keratosis, seborrhoeicdermatitis, shingles, skin tags, spider veins, stasis dermatitis, tineabarbae, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tineaunguium, tinea versicolor, tinea, tungiasis, urticaria, and warts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the form of acream, a powder and a baby wipe, with the percentage of ingredientspresent being listed in descending order from the highest to the lowest.In each embodiment, cranberry extract is included at 0.01%, by weight,of the total composition.

Cream Form

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc Oxide (included at 10% by weight),Beeswax, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Cod liver Oil, Dimethicone,Fragrance, Glyceryl Oleate, Mineral Oil, Ozokerite, Paraffin, PropyleneGlycol, Purified Water, Red Ferric Oxide, Sorbitol, cranberry extract(Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract containing 0.2-0.8% anthocyanins,and/or related anthocyanosides).

Powder Form

Corn starch, zinc oxide (included at 10% by weight), ferric oxide,fragrance, cranberry extract (Vaccinium magrocarpon fruit extractcontaining 0.2-0.8% anthocyanins, and/or related anthocyanosides),tricalcium phosphate.

Disposable Baby Wipe Form

Water, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Polysorbate20, Cranberry Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tartaric Acid, Fragrance.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present invention has beendescribed with reference to particular preferred embodiments that arenow contemplated. However, the invention is not limited to theembodiments disclosed herein and it will be appreciated that numerousmodifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled inthe art. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover allsuch modifications and embodiments that fall within the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1. A composition for treating or preventing skin irritation in humans,which comprises: a) cranberry anthocyanins; and b) a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle or carrier.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein thecosmetically acceptable vehicle is the form of a powder, concentrate,extract, lotion, cream, ointment or spray.
 3. The composition of claim 2wherein the vehicle is a powder containing from about 16.25 parts perbillion to 50%, by weight, of cranberry anthocyanins based on the totalweight of the composition.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein thevehicle also contains zinc oxide.
 5. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe skin irritation is diaper rash.
 6. The composition of claim 1, andincluding corn starch, about 10% by weight, of zinc oxide, ferric oxide,and cranberry extract containing about 0.2% to about 0.8%, by weight, ofcranberry anthocyanins and tricalcium phosphate.
 7. The composition ofclaim 1 and including aloe barbadensis leaf juice, about 10%, by weight,of zinc oxide, bees wax, benzyl alcohol, coconut oil, cod liver oil,dimethicone, glyceryl deate, mineral oil, ozokerite, paraffin, propyleneglycol, purified water, red ferric oxide, sorbitol and cranberry extractcontaining about 0.2% to about 0.8%, by weight, of cranberryanthocyanins.
 8. The composition of claim 1, and including, water,glycerin, aloe vera, vitamin E, polysorbate 20, cranberry extractcontaining about 0.2% to 0.8%, by weight, of cranberry anthocyanins,potassium sorbate and tartaric acid.
 9. A method for treating orpreventing skin irritation in humans, which comprises applying acomposition including a cranberry anthocyanin in a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle or carrier to an irritated skin surface in a quantitysufficient to form a coating thereon.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinthe skin irritation is diaper rash.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinthe cosmetically acceptable vehicle is in the form of a powder,concentrate, extract, lotion, cream, ointment or spray.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the vehicle is a powder containing from about 16parts per billion to about 50% by weight of cranberry anthocyanins basedon the total weight of the composition.
 13. A powder for treating diaperrash in accordance with the composition of claim
 6. 14. A cream fortreating diaper rash in accordance with the composition of claim
 7. 15.A wipe for treating diaper rash in accordance with the composition ofclaim 8.